January and February marked an important milestone for Avju Solutions as we participated in two gatherings in the NATO DIANA accelerator program in Munich. Representing Avju at the gatherings were our CEO Andreas Haugen, CMO Magnus Haugen, and CTO Peter Munch-Ellingsen, who joined the Palladion Defence Accelerator alongside selected innovators from across the NATO Alliance.
Out of thousands of applicants, Avju Solutions was selected for this highly competitive program, a recognition that we as a company views as both strategic validation and a significant opportunity.
“Being chosen for NATO DIANA is a strong validation of both our technology and our strategic direction,” says Magnus Haugen. “It confirms that what we are building is relevant in a broader security and resilience context.”
Building relationships
NATO DIANA is more than a traditional accelerator. It is an accelerator for tech, and an important platform designed to identify, test, and scale tech- and dual-use technologies that address critical defence, security, and resilience challenges. Through DIANA’s extensive network of accelerators, test centres, mentors, and end users, participating companies gain access to world-class expertise and real-world testing environments.
For Avju, the first two gatherings in Munich represent the beginning of a structured and ambitious journey. The sessions have combined theoretical frameworks with extensive networking and ecosystem-building among selected start-ups and scale-ups.
“We are still at the very beginning,” Andreas Haugen explains. “A lot of the content so far has been theory, but the real value lies in the people we’ve met and the relationships we are building.”
As part of the program, Avju has been assigned four dedicated mentors representing the defence sector, technical environments, and the financial investment community. Over the next six months, these mentors will support the company’s strategic positioning, technical validation, and commercial development. In addition, Avju has gained access to relevant test facilities which is a critical component for documenting performance and ensuring that its solutions meet demanding operational standards.
For Magnus Haugen, the network itself has proven to be one of the most valuable outcomes so far.
“One of our key takeaways after two gatherings is the importance of open information sharing within the network,” he says. “These are companies and individuals who genuinely want each other to succeed. You don’t have to be overly restrictive, the willingness to share knowledge accelerates everyone.”
Validation, speed and scale
Looking ahead, our company sees participation in DIANA as a gateway to new markets. Europe, particularly Central and Southern Europe, is emerging as a strategic focus area. The next step will be to initiate structured dialogue with potential customers in these regions, not necessarily to secure immediate contracts, but to create awareness, spark interest, and demonstrate how Avju’s technology can address concrete operational needs.
Participation in NATO DIANA represents validation, speed, and scale. It offers an opportunity to challenge assumptions, refine solutions, and position Avju Solutions within a broader European and transatlantic security landscape.
“We’ve only just begun,” Magnus and Andreas conclude. “The continuation of this journey will be both exciting and meaningful, and we look forward to developing our technology further.”